The Dream, 4________________________________________

Still in the dream, an effort is now made
to convince Laurey's double
to become Jud's fallen lover.

A dancer leads her to Jud
as we hear the music to the song, "Poor Jud is Dead",
in which Curly had earlier mocked Jud by singing about
what a wonderful funeral he would have
if he hung himself and died.

But now, it seems, Jud isn't so much dead
as he is Death, reigning in Hells' tavern.

Jud slow dances with Laurey's double
and then everyone dances to
"I'm Just a Girl Who Can't Say No",

as the men flap their arms
like ducks and geese.

At last, Laurey's double joins the dance.

For a moment, it seems
she has been turned
and will become Jud's fallen bride.

Then she backs away.

But there is no where for her to run.
She flees to a stairway to nowhere
which somehow leads her

into the hallway of what looks like
a haunted house, as she hears
the sound of thunder.

She then runs from the house,
which is the demonic double 
of her comfortable farmhouse.

But Jud is once again waiting for her.
The male double tries to defend her
but the bullets from his gun have no effect on Jud.
It is clear there will be no knothole-plugging, here,
because Jud is now too powerful.

There is a ferocious fight, as a thunderstorm rages
with a giant, swirling, tornado in the background,
as Curly's double tries to defend Laurey
and he and Jud twist and turn.

It is as if they are inside the tornado
which is Jud, with its massive anal funnel,
destroying whatever is in its path.

Amid the loud thunderous noises
it seems as if one can hear the howls of dogs.
Or are they ghouls and fiends in Hell?

As Laurey's double looks on in horror.
Jud strangles the man she loves.
The dark side of man is now in control
as Jud carries her off.

Finally, the real Laurey
wakes from this terrible dream,
only to discover the real Jud standing over her,
waiting to take her to the social.
All buttoned up, clean and eager, he looks like a little boy --
a very dangerous little boy.

After what Laurey has seen in the dream
she is more terrified of Jud than ever --
and more afraid to say no to him.